I have both and love watching both mechanical parts moving. However, I have not yet had the chance to run them on real outdoor track, but very close. For those who have both, which do you find to be the most reliable and best runner. How do each handle less than perfect track like they would have in the full size real world? I have read where it is recommend to trim the bumpers between the frame and front trucks on the Climax to help it handle less than perfect track. I see where the Shay has the same bumpers, but have not read about trimming them. How come?
I run them both outside. The Shay tends to run better for me, when the wheels arent falling off. The climax is a bit lighter, and smaller, and tends to get dirtier wheels faster. I did the modification to my Climx, wiring past the truck to frame sliding contacts, and that really did help her performace. I didnt trim any parts on the Climax, but I did replace the one driveshaft. The original Climaxes had 2 solid driveshafts and they could bind if one truck motor stalled a bit.
But, I run the Climam more then the Shay, since I am more of a Climax fan then a Shay fan, but that is just my personal preference.
I have just the Climax. It has dcc sound and motor decoder installed and runs on track (stainless) power. I modified the truck wiring and find that it is a smooth runner. I usually have it pull four bachamnn logging cars and a logging caboose with no problems (have less than 2% grade). It is a slow moving prototype so you have to be patient with it.
Steve (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Steve, yes she is a slow mover. I have one in HO scale, and when I run her on the club layout it drives the diesel jocks crazy.
Over here I have all three models of the Bachmann geared locos - two Shays, the Climax and the Heisler. Not only do they all run well, but all four, sharing the same basic motor units, run at the same speed, which is very handy for double-heading, or even triple-heading.
I did that crafty ‘fix’ on the Heisler to stop the awful drive-line clunk, and now it’s a star performer. Lacking the necessary couple of thousand dollars for the all-metal AccuCraft Shay means that all of these locos get used on show day - a lot. So far, the new all-metal trucks ready-to-install on my original Shay from 1998 have yet to be removed from their packaging.
I’ve done a few cosmetic things over the years, but apart from that, nothing.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
My climax starts a bit jerky it runs great though. The shay is a better puller and runs smoother. Like said above they run well together. When the shay starts slipping climbing the grade I add the climax to the front and then they walk right up the hill.
Terry
I have a 38 ton Shay, a Climax, not a new version and a Heisler and they are all beautuful models with about the same pulling power though I think the Shay has more power, Heisler is #2 and the Climax the least. I don’t over tax any of these locos due to my grades because fixing them wouldn’t be cheap.
The Shay is more readily available due to 3 or 4 runs Bachmann made with improvements each time. I think the climax had 2 build runs and the Heisler one. Correct me if I am wrong. The Shay is a Big Brute with a can do attitude and when I run the Climax I think of it as the little engine that could.
I don’t know about trimming bumpers, I changed to hook and loops and they work fine even through tight curves.
Here is a video I made a few years back that is kinda fun and shows off the geared locos.
The SJR&P has all 4 of the geared locomotives, 2 truck shay, 3 truck shay, heisler and climax. The Shays willl pull more and are real work horses. Our shays have the new trucks. The new Climax’s run a little better then the first generation ones, the first generation I have has not been run in a few years but may get out this year. The new generation ones are used for short distance locals. We curently use the Heisler as a backup locomotive. I like the Heisler but most of our operators like the looks of the shay.
Stan
Hang on Stan and I aggree!!! Now I have 5 gears- a 3 truck (which is a real work horse), 2 2trucks which go to meets, and older Heisler and a Climax. Yhe climax is a yard switcher(when I charge it up) and the poor Heisler sits in it’s carrier as I don’t keep charged. Now there are time when I’ll charge and run with a Rod Engine but not offten. When we set up at a met, will use the 3 truck with the drive on the outside as people like to see.
Paul